Kerch (Crimea): features of rest, choice of beach and list of sights

Despite the fact that Kerch is one of the three largest cities of the Crimean peninsula, it is usually not included in the list of the most popular local resorts. There are many reasons for this - there is a temperate climate here, whereas 100 kilometers further you can find yourself in the subtropics, and there is a busy seaport, and in the same subtropics there are no extraneous pollution in the coastal water. However, it would be a huge mistake to assume that there is no need to go to Kerch - this city is worthy of attention, and not only as a seaside resort.

Kerch is the easternmost city in the Crimea - it is located on the shore of the Kerch Strait, which separates the Azov and Black Seas. The extreme eastern point of the entire Crimean peninsula, Cape Lantern, is located within the city limits. The city stretches along the coast for 42 kilometers, because it can be safely called one of the most coastal for hundreds of kilometers around. Today it is a fairly large city with a population of 151 thousand people, which continues to grow.

The convenient geographical location at the junction of two seas from ancient times interested in the people living in the vicinity, so it is not surprising that human settlements appeared here an incredibly long time ago. It is proved that the first people appeared here in prehistoric times, but if we talk about more or less modern settlements, their traces are dated to about 8 thousand years BC.

However, it was little resembling a civilization in the current understanding, but approximately in 610-590 BC the ancient Greek settlement Panticapaeum, which is not much younger than the same Rome, appeared here. The Greeks arrived here from Miletus, located in Asia Minor. The immigrants from there founded many other cities in the Crimea, but it was around Panticapaeum that the Bosporian kingdom arose around 100 years later. For about 8 centuries, the city, located very successfully, intensively traded with all the surrounding nations, due to which it was able to dictate its will to at least the surrounding settlements, and the Roman Empire, in its best times even the Crimea, considered the Bosphorus kingdom its ally.

Since the beginning of the great resettlement of peoples with trade, problems arose - at least the Huns in the 370s had a good pat of the kingdom and the city itself. For another 100 years, Panticapaeus interrupted this way as a regional center, and then fell under the influence of Byzantium. However, for a mighty empire, it was an important but distant suburb, which constantly had to fight off the attacks of the Turks and the Khazars. The last Panticapaeum even belonged to some time in the VIII century.

In the 10th century, Slavs emerged to the northern shores of the Black Sea., and that part of its coast, where Kerch is located, was controlled by them for a couple of centuries, more precisely, by the Tmutarakan principality. In those days, for the first time, the city received a name similar to the modern one - Korchev. From the XII century, Korchev was increasingly attacked by the Polovtsy, who were in a good position to cut it off from Kievan Rus, because the city gradually returned to the influence of Byzantium. In 1318-1475 the port belonged to the Genoese, who intensively developed maritime trade in the region.According to some studies, during this period, Circassian princes gained considerable influence in Vopreo, as the Italians called it.

In 1475, the city was captured by the Ottomans and came under the direct control of Istanbul. By that time, the main trade routes had shifted, and the former Korchev began to gradually decline, especially since Zaporizhian Cossacks periodically beat him. Gradually, the influence of the Slavs in the areas adjacent to the Sea of ​​Azov from the north and east grew more and more, and in 1701 the recalcitrant Turks, fearing direct fleet attacks on Asia Minor, began to build the Yeni-Kale fortress here.

Most beach tourists travel to the Crimea for the sake of the southern coast, since this is the only narrow strip on the whole peninsula where the climate is subtropical. Kerch to the South Coast of Crimea does not apply in any way, it is quite removed from it, because the climate is temperate. Most often it is characterized as moderately hot with mild winters and minimum precipitation.

In 2008-2017, the average rainfall in the city was estimated at 368 mm per year. - This is not much more than at Cape Meganom, known for its semi-desert climate. As for the air temperature, in this regard Kerch is somewhat different even from the adjacent areas of the Crimea - although the average daily temperature in summer is quite high here, even at the height of the summer day there is rarely at least 35 degrees of heat, just nights are not much cooler than days .

As for the swimming season, from the side of the Azov Sea it starts quite early - this body of water does not differ in considerable depth, and therefore it warms up quickly. Already by the end of May we can expect a water temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, but due to the fact that it is not even close to subtropics, in the same September, no one can guarantee a comfortable bathing.

Kerch is not too promoted as a tourist city, but its size itself requires that there be no problems with housing. As a result, vacationers will be able to find a haven for every taste and budget here - you can either rent a guest house or a room in the private sector, or rent a room in a hotel with a swimming pool, or settle in a recreation center that also offers minimal wellness treatments.

Choosing housing in Kerch, you need to carefully look at its location. - 42 kilometers of the coastline is not an indicator, because not all of it is suitable for considering it as a beach worthy of rest. For example, housing, described as being located on the shore, may not be so good if it is a strait shore, where a huge number of passing ships inevitably pollute the water. The nearest normal beach can be several kilometers from here, and then this is not at all what is usually expected from a luxury holiday.

By the same logic, it is not always necessary to chase a settlement without fail in the center. The city, stretched so much, must have several local centers, where the entire infrastructure is represented within walking distance, and not a couple of tens of kilometers.

At first glance, the city, stretching along the sea coast for 42 kilometers, should simply be full of beaches. But do not think that everything is so simple - whatever one may say, Kerch remains a major port and industrial center, because you can (and should) not swim everywhere. At the same time, there are 4 main beaches, which are located in pleasant places, are well maintained and have a developed tourist infrastructure.

We immediately say that, unlike the resorts of the Southern Coast of Crimea, in the eastern part of the peninsula, the beaches are composed mainly of sand rather than pebbles.

• Urban. To bear such a name is the same thing as being “Central”, because it is from it that tourists usually expect maximum return in terms of infrastructure. In this regard, this location does not fail - there is everything that you may need for a good tanning and swimming. There are even catamarans for hire, but this is a dream of many people, even going to the sea regularly.

• Youth. Another place where you should definitely come to the rest. As the name suggests, this beach is chosen by young people, and the entire infrastructure is sharpened just for its needs - there are not only classic dressing rooms, a shower and a toilet, but also romantic gazebos and practical barbecues. Here you can find a million ways to have fun.

• Moscow This beach is also considered one of the best in the city - there are always a lot of people here, and all of them cannot be wrong. This place is often praised for good infrastructure, designed for the needs of the whole family, but perhaps you shouldn’t come here with small children - the bottom is not too steep here, and therefore launching into the water poses some danger for the kids.

• "Traps". The village of the same name is the only one in our list of wild beach - the infrastructure here is not something that is not abundant, but absent, in general. This factor drives away the prevailing number of tourists, because the place is not only poorly populated, but also clean.

Out of our list was the Kerch “Turtle” beach, however, in general, it is impossible to ignore it. The fact is that this beach is completely atypical.

• It is overgrown with grass, because you will have to sunbathe not so much on the sand, as on the lawn.
• The beach has a specific feature that can scare away any unprepared tourist. Algae often gather off the coast at this place, which eventually rot and begin to exude a completely indescribable odor.

While the visitors shy away in horror, for some reason the locals are very fond of this place, all the more so since the infrastructure here is not bad. If you like experiments, take a look and here - suddenly in your heart you are a resident of Kerch, and you will also like it. In addition, sometimes the wind drives away the accumulated algae from the coast, and then even an unsuitable person can breathe here.

Kerch may be losing to the resorts of the Southern Coast of Crimea in terms of the absence of a velvet season, but this rather large city cannot be called boring. It so happened that the capital of the eastern part of Crimea is perceived purely as a port, but there is also enough interesting here.

• Mount Mithridates is one of the symbols of the city, it is located right in the middle of it. Once on its top was located the center of ancient Panticapaeum, and today it is a popular observation deck with a beautiful view of the city.

• Temple of John the Baptist is the oldest example of Christian architecture in Kerch, its construction dates back to the X century. At the same time, for a thousand years the church has not only survived, but also has a very decent appearance, and can even perform its main functions.

• Tsarsky Kurgan is an ancient burial ground, built, as scientists believe, in the IV century BC. This is a local version of the ancient Egyptian pyramid, and although its height is not so impressive, it is still rather big - its length reaches 37 meters.

• Kerch fortress can be called a relatively new attraction - it was built only in 1877, and, perhaps, not so much strikes the imagination as medieval castles. But this model of defensive architecture in its relatively short history has been well preserved, therefore it allows you to create your own impression of how the borders of the state were defended a century and a half ago.

• The crypt of Demeter It can be called a relatively little-known memo, but it will definitely appeal to those who always wanted to see real rock art. True, here the drawing of the ancient Greek goddess was drawn not by cavemen, but by more modern and civilized Greeks, but still scientists date the drawing to only the 1st century of our era, which means it is about two thousand years old.

• Fortress Yeni-Kale It has not been preserved as well as the one that is of the same name with respect to the modern city, but according to most parameters it is more interesting. First of all, this is a real Turkish fortress - in terms of architecture, it is completely unlike what most of our compatriots used to see.

• In the Kerch district, attention also deserves Valley of Volcanoes, located near the village Bondarenkovo. Lava is not here - eruptions occur with clay, water and steam. A real volcano, of course, would look brighter, but this one is close and completely safe.

You can lie on a beach in a temperate climate in many places - it’s enough to get to the nearest lake or river, then you won't have to go far. The resort is so good that it not only has certain properties of nature and climate, but also is able to offer some interesting entertainment, in addition to the beach. Actually in any coastal city the embankment is interesting, here bearing the name Aleksandrovskaya - from there you can at least admire the beautiful sea landscapes. Local people like to spend time here, and it will certainly be interesting for guests of the city.

In terms of entertainment here, perhaps, the choice is slightly less than in Yalta or Sevastopol, but here you can think of something interesting. For example, cycling trips to the Arabat fortress are organized from Kerch. Such a trip to unfamiliar places is always interesting, especially since the route cannot be called short - it stretches for 60 kilometers.

Many of our compatriots formed the opinion that surfing is an overseas hobby that cannot be practiced or is uncomfortable in our area. This, of course, is the wrong point of view - in Kerch there is a convenient place to practice this sport, and at the same time a center that allows beginners to get their first skills under the guidance of an instructor. If interested - go to the Arshintsev braid.

Provided in Kerch and extremely romantic holiday in the form of ballooning. Actually, the fact of flying on such a thing already crashes into memory for life, and a happy aeronaut will show off his experience to friends and acquaintances for a long time.

Something completely unique for children in Kerch is not, but there is everything that can be considered a "standard resort set." There will be found and children's cafes, and various entertainment centers, and attractions, and "bananas", which roll on the sea. Excursions to the local ostrich farm, where you can admire not only adult adult birds, but also unusual-looking chicks, stand out for some unusual features.

If purely Kerch sights are not enough for you, and you cannot leave the Crimea without seeing other interesting places, you can book a guided tour of one of the main highlights of the peninsula at one of the local travel agencies. Of course, it is not very convenient that Kerch is located on the very edge of the Crimea — it will take quite a long time to get to other major tourist centers. However, if you are a traveler in your soul, be sure to visit the following cities (in brackets - one way distance and average travel time by car):

• Feodosia (100 kilometers, 1.5 hours);
• Koktebel (116 kilometers, 1.5-2 hours);
• Sudak (149 kilometers, 2-2.5 hours);
• Alushta (227 kilometers, 3-3.5 hours);
• Bakhchisarai (253 kilometers, 4-4.5 hours);
• Yalta (261 km, 3.5-4 hours);
• Evpatoria (272 kilometers, 4-4.5 hours);
• Sevastopol (290 kilometers, 4-4.5 hours).

Comments of tourists from Kerch can be divided into two types: from those authors who are not spoiled or were at sea for the first time, and from those who have something to compare with.

If you belong to unbalanced people who have minimal travel experience, you will probably like it here. It has everything - the sea is warm, and the beaches are sandy, and the observation platforms are beautiful, and the attractions. If you also get out at least once on a trip to another significant city of Crimea, it is possible that after the holidays you will have the impressions left visibly and invisibly.

For those who have been to Turkey, or at least in Yalta, Kerch seems at best to be a spare airfield:

• it is so close to the south, but still not south, because there are no palm trees - and before them, it remained a stone’s throw away;
• the surrounding nature is unremarkable - mountains, like many Crimean resorts, are not found nearby;
• the presence of the port, and even a large one, crosses out all hopes that the water will be clean — some would not even dare to bathe here;
• It is not for nothing that Kerch is considered to be at first a port and an industrial center, and only later a resort - in fact it really is, and even the ruins of Pantikapey will not help here.

Review of Kerch, see the video below.